Manchester United players surplus to requirements

After Louis van Gaal admitted in his press conference that he’s preparing some ‘face to face’ talks with the players he deems to be surplus to requirements, rumours have been swirling of who that might apply to.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic already gone many thought the cuts were just about over, however the new Dutchman still wants to show a few to the exit and after landing back in Manchester last night it looks to be in the immediate future.

So, just who are the unlucky few? We bring you, compiled by Ollie Gentle, a list of who just might be part of the exodus, ultimately having to carry on with their futures elsewhere.

When Anderson signed for Manchester United eight years ago during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign it looked like he'd be a real coup, and at the price of £20 million that is exactly what one would expect, however it just hasn't gone to plan for the Brazilian with the 26-year-old falling further and further down the pecking order.

Although one could argue that because of Anderson's 104 Premier League appearances he should stay to offer experience to the team, however in those games he's scored just five goals which is far from enough.

With this in mind, it is quite unlikely that Van Gaal will want the 26-year-old on board, and we would expect that the signing of Ander Herrera will be the final nail in Anderson's Manchester United coffin.

One slight hitch to Louis Van Gaal's plan though, who really wants a player who offers very little to the overall team?

Nani

The future definitely doesn't look bright for Nani, a Portuguese player who didn't impress last season nor the season before that and with the new 3-5-2 system being implemented under Van Gaal questions already stand as to where he fits into the system with Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia both able to track back as well as attack.

However, it's more of the style of play that narks Manchester United fans, and most likely will rile Louis Van Gaal at least one point in the season if he is to stay.

Nani's selfish attitude whilst on the ball seemed to be why he wasn't such a regular starter under Sir Alex Ferguson nor David Moyes, and with just one goal in the last two seasons the statistics don't favour him.

Nani was another who looked to be one for the future, however he now looks like a spare cog in United's works. He's got to leave, surely?

Tom Cleverley

Another gem signed by the great Sir Alex Ferguson, thought to be able to emulate the successes of legend Paul Scholes, or even do something better. Although, last season Cleverley failed to make any sort of impact on Moyes' flailing men.

It's clear Louis Van Gaal doesn't want the players who make little contribution in his squad, and won't endure any sort of repeat of performance.

Cleverley, like others on the list, have simply failed to perform when given their chances and it has been his 'tiki taka' style of play, passing the ball around just like Barcelona do as a team, that has come under a lot of scrutiny over the past season with the youngster the only one in the squad who seems to play this way.

With new boss Louis van Gaal now in the frame, you'd think that Cleverley's style of play will simply go against the Dutchman's tactic of fast-paced attacks. In the new 3-5-2 formation is there actually a place for a player like Cleverley?

Although an option could be simply to just send Cleverley out on loan for the season to come, as he definitely could have a good future, however it would appear that the signing of Ander Herrera, and the fact that a new midfielder still could be on his way, that may signal the end of the road for Cleverley.

With plenty of other midfielders who could do a better job, why trust in Cleverley at this stage of his career.

Javier Hernandez

With a lot of attacking options for Louis van Gaal to pick and choose from it looks very unlikely that we will see Javier Hernandez as a regular starter, with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck all ahead in the pecking order at Old Trafford.

For many years it has been like that for Hernandez, and surely Van Gaal will choose to let him go, especially when you consider the amount of cover he has at his disposal.

You could say that Hernandez is yet another who never really had a lot of chances to impress at Old Trafford after the arrival of Dutchman Robin van Persie. It's Hernandez's statistics that let him down, in 24 appearances in the Premier League last season (many of those being substitute appearances), Hernandez only found the net four times, something which isn't enough to make him a starter rather than Van Persie or Rooney.

In a total of 152 appearances for United, Hernandez has scored just 59 goals.

Chicharito is a proven goalscorer, when playing in a team who play his type of game, however Manchester United won't really be playing his game style with Van Gaal on board. Maybe it's time for Hernandez to join a team that can utilise his style somewhat more.

Shinji Kagawa

Yet another player brought in by Sir Alex Ferguson, Shinji Kagawa was expected to play a key role in the Manchester United squad, however so far his role has remained somewhat peripheral although he hasn't exactly been to blame with neither Sir Alex Ferguson nor David Moyes finding a place for Kagawa in their starting XI. Being overlooked so often has left Kagawa on the fringes somewhat.

Another problem is that because David Moyes never really was fond of Kagawa, he shelled out a hefty £37 million for Chelsea's Juan Mata, a player who sits in the same position as the Japansese international and gets game time every week.

It was surprising Kagawa didn't go then. Even though Moyes has now gone, current boss Louis van Gaal obviously prefers Manchester United's most expensive signing, Juan Mata, and still Kagawa remains out of the picture with it being clear that nothing is left at Old Trafford for him anymore.

With Kagawa making just 56 appearances in the last two seasons, and it being obvious that there isn't really going to be game time next season unless Mata gets injured, it's time to leave Old Trafford not only for the sake of his career, but also so boss Louis van Gaal can cash in on the expensive acquisition.

It is said that Borussia Dortmund remain keen on bringing him back to Germany.

Wilfried Zaha

When Sir Alex Ferguson wrote out the final check of his illustrious managerial career Manchester United fans thought 'He's done it again!' However 21-year-old Wilfried Zaha perhaps came with such a massive weight of expectation to perform that he just couldn't handle it, and ultimately appeared to fall under pressure.

Zaha was ultimately farmed out to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Cardiff City, another place where he was expected to flourish, however he made very little impact and in 11 appearances failed to find any form before making his return to Manchester United once again, whilst Cardiff ultimately were relegated.

It's fair to say that whilst on tour he hasn't done a bad job and looked lively in the two substitute appearances he made. Yet, with Manchester United bringing in a new system, unfortunately it just doesn't look like Zaha will fit in. A departure must be imminent.

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